IT’S ironic that the man who found fame with Dr Hook and started touring again a decade or so ago as the “voice of Dr Hook” has outgrown his back catalogue.

Having penned three new albums of original material in the past decade, the amiable US balladeer is still a player – a top-notch guitarist and songwriter with a distinctive voice that is at home portraying beautiful melody and angst and every emotion in between.

Surrounding himself with a young five-piece band (Tomorrow’s Road) gives his music the edge that brings it into the present time. This was a proper band, not mere hired hands and that was reflected in the songs they helped create on his excellent new album, Post Cool, which was mostly featured in this 100-minute show. Much more cutting edge and up-tempo than his Seventies work, the songs vary throughout from blues and country to out and out rock.

Seeing this band in full jam was a joy to behold and his newer songs were greeted like old friends.

Rocking versions of Queen of the Silver Dollar, Sylvia’s Mother, The Ballard of Lucy Jordan and Hearts Like Yours And Mine, sounded totally contemporary in contrast to other Dr Hook classics such as A Little Bit More and When You’re in Love With A Beautiful Woman, which felt out of kilter with his superior modern style.

The standing ovation mostly reflected the triumph for Locorriere’s new work and the Dr Hook connection is noticeably moving into the background.

Ed Waugh